Hang Gliding, Skydiving, Parachuting & Ziplines

ZipQuest Brings Mountain-Sized Thrills To Fayetteville

Eastern and Central North Carolina will soon earn bragging rights for one of the state's coolest new eco-adventures. ZipQuest, in north Fayetteville, is a 2.5-hour treetop tour, thrilling participants with eight ziplines and three "Indiana Jones" canopy bridges. The course covers remarkably steep and varied topography, including Carver's Falls, a 20-foot tall waterfall that stretches 150 feet wide and is the largest waterfall in the central and eastern regions of the Carolinas.

The ZipQuest course opened in July 2010 and provides zipline runs nearly 1,000 feet long and 80 feet high, over a 2.5-hour tour during which one's feet never touch the ground. ZipQuest is easily accessed off I-95 and is well located for day travelers from Raleigh/Durham, Chapel Hill, Wilmington, Greensboro and Myrtle Beach. Reservations are available online at ZipQuest.com. Previews of the course can be enjoyed on Facebook at and YouTube.

The course is designed for families with children and thrill seekers alike. Riders are harnessed securely to the ziplines, which are made of galvanized cable capable of loads of more than 22,000 pounds. Children as young as 10 and adults as old as 90 will enjoy soaring like a bird through the forest.

ZipQuest's design strives to delight and thrill its visitors from start to finish as a perfect marriage of eco-tourism and adventure. Each landing offers a different approach or take-off with a floating spiral staircase wrapping a tree and periodic Indiana Jones-style suspension bridges (one is over 200 feet long) to change and slow down one's pace, assuring each guest takes in the spectacular tree-top and waterfall views.

The more than 50 acres that comprise ZipQuest have been privately owned and preserved by the Bryan family for nearly 50 years. Current owners and brothers, Callan, Eason and Russ Bryan, recognized a tree top canopy tour as an ideal way to share their land in an environmentally sustainable manner.

"There's virtually no foot traffic through the property, and the installation of all lines and platforms seeks to preserve our magnificent monument trees and pristine forest," said Callan Bryan.

Indeed, the elaborate engineering and elegant architectural designs of the course could likely compete with the breathtaking views and exciting rides. "We are really proud of this course," said Lead Designer Joel Hoffman of S.T.E.P.S., Inc. "We've designed zipline canopy courses throughout the country and this one is more fun and has more unique tree structures than any other canopy tour I've been a part of. It's a beautiful property and this is a great way to enjoy it!"

The Bryan Brothers are planning to offer group tours, as well, with corporate adventures, youth travel and education tours anticipated. Military discounts will also be available, given ZipQuest's proximity to Fort Bragg and other North Carolina military installations.

added: July 27, 2010

updated: August 2, 2010